Creating safe spaces for healing, resilience and change
Voices of Strength is a trauma-informed project supporting young people from ethnic minority backgrounds who have experienced faith-based abuse, including being falsely accused of witchcraft or spirit possession. This hidden and deeply harmful form of abuse is often misunderstood and underreported, leaving survivors isolated and unsupported.
Through one-to-one mentoring, culturally sensitive therapy, and peer support, Voices of Strength creates safe spaces for healing, recovery, and resilience. The project also empowers young people to use their lived experience to raise awareness, challenge stigma, and influence safeguarding policy and practice.
A key influence behind this work is our trustee’s powerful BBC documentary Branded a Witch, which investigated this form of abuse and helped bring national attention to its impact. (https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p018zdy8) By combining emotional support with leadership development and advocacy, Voices of Strength helps survivors turn their experiences into tools for change—ensuring that professionals, policymakers, and communities are better equipped to respond to this unique and often overlooked form of harm.